Fools by decree

[ColbertWatcher]

Poll question: Fools by decree

In another thread (doesn't mater which one) I posted that comedians are the modern-day equivalent of the medieval court jester and posted a link to Wikip*dia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_jester#Political_significance ).

The "Political significance" section of the article contains a paragraph from the Royal Shakespeare Company describing two different types of fool:

"Distinction was made between fools and clowns, or country bumpkins. The fool's status was one of privilege within a royal or noble household. His folly could be regarded as the raving of a madman but was often deemed to be divinely inspired. The 'natural' fool was touched by God. Much to Gonerill's annoyance, Lear's 'all-licensed' Fool enjoys a privileged status. His characteristic idiom suggests he is a 'natural' fool, not an artificial one, though his perceptiveness and wit show that he is far from being an idiot, however 'touched' he might be."

The article also states that

"Jesters could also give bad news to the King that no-one else would dare deliver."

Two questions: are comedians the modern-day equivalent to the jester? And if so, are they allowed to say things that no one else is?

[ColbertWatcher]

1. Kick. n/t

[damntexdem]

2. Yes and are allowed; but that is past, what about now?

We'll see with the Letterman thing. The RW doesn't want to allow such freedom to jesters -- while endorsing total freedom from responsibility, even for fomenting violence, for RW fools like Limpballs.

[ColbertWatcher]

4. Good point.

The GOP are always for the rights of their followers, but not for anyone else.

[Birthmark]

3. There is zero wrong with what Letterman said...

...in the context in which he said it. No one sane thinks that a comedian is actually advocating what he says, particularly in a "Top Ten" list. The whole thing is just more whining from the martyr-prone fright-wingers, aided to some extent by the Political Correctness police.

Sane people are paying little attention.

[ColbertWatcher]

5. I agree. But, until we can take control of the media away from the GOP ...

... we will hear about this crap and they will push this crap.

[Captain Hilts]

6. You don't go after someone's kids. That's the rule. nt